Catholic Diplomacy

By

Francis X. Rocca

Updated Oct. 20, 2000 1:06 a.m. ET

P ope John Paul II's canonization of the first Chinese saints earlier this month drew fierce protests from the Chinese government, which declared its "utmost indignation" at the event and attacked the 120 honored martyrs as "evil-doing sinners."

Even more striking than the government's reaction were complaints by two Chinese Catholic bishops. "This is an insult," said Bishop Liu Yuanren, who disparaged the new saints as "traitors" and agents of imperialism. In a Sunday sermon at...